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Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” So the Pharisees said to him, “You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified.”
It’s interesting to me how the Pharisees think along the same lines as atheists do. Atheists say to Christians what Pharisees said to Jesus: “You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified.” Very interesting… It appears that God (that is, Jesus) does not give sufficient testimony to warrant belief in Him, and guess what? He never will.
But let's be honest. The problem does not lie with God but with us; and the problem does not lie in our brains but in our hearts.
What both groups appear to do so well is completely ignore the facts; and, as John Adams once said, “Facts are a stubborn thing.” What are the facts? The Lord said, “You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.” WOW! "I do not judge anyone!" That's unheard of and never ever seen. “And even if I should judge, my judgment is valid, because I am not alone, but it is I and the Father who sent me...and you know neither me nor my Father.”
The testimony of two old men. Today, we read in the book of Daniel the story of Suzanna, a beautiful Jewish woman who refuses to give into the demands of two decrepit old men. These men are very powerful and highly influential men. They also happen to be judges. Based on their false testimony, Suzanna is convicted of adultery. She is ordered to be put to death. But before the order is executed, Daniel comes to her rescue.
The facts of the case should not be overlooked. We have the testimony of two men. You would think that that would be enough “proof” for a proper conviction. But unfortunately, what is not so self-evident is the motivation behind their accusation. They are lustful men, who have “suppressed their consciences” (killed their soul) and “would not allow their eyes to look to heaven” (they did not pray). This is the perfect formula for making vicious people.
Secondly, we have two men of high standing. These are highly intelligent men. And yet, an intelligent man does not necessarily mean a respectable man; and a respectable man doesn’t necessarily mean a clean man, for one can look clean on the outside and remain filthy on the inside. The Nazis were extremely intelligent, extremely well polished, and extremely evil.
As with the Lord, Suzanna is innocent of all accusations brought against her, but doesn’t have any “proof” to prove it to others. But why does she need to prove anything at all? She is innocent! And God knows it, even if men do not.
It is for one reason alone that she must defend her innocence: because of two old decrepit individuals who lied about her. The problem isn’t with Suzanna and her innocence, the problem is with them and their sins!
The Lord does not need to prove himself to anyone. Who will He bring it to? Us??? Sinners??? The Lord appeals His case to no one. He has given sufficient testimony of who He is: I am Good Shepherd. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. I am the Alpha and the Omega. Jesus is Lord. He creates. He does not destroy. He loves. He does not hate. He forgives. He does not resent. He shows more mercy than we do. In this way, He testifies on his own behalf. He has no need of witnesses. He has no need of our agreement. The problem is not with Christ. The problem is with our sins.
To be a Christian means to commit oneself to doing something that no one else seems to do well: love those who hate you as much as those who love you.
Far too many atheists believe that they can love like this without believing in God. I haven’t seen it yet.
As the latest news indicates, the secular west does a pretty good job at educating the minds of children. Unfortunately, they do a lousy job at educating their hearts. If I was forced to choose between the heart and the mind, I would choose the heart; for I prefer to be considered stupid for loving everyone, than intelligent for loving only those who love me.
It is love that brings life and light into the world. God is love, and has brought His life and light into the world through Jesus Christ.
Resolution: I will not be a walking contradiction. I will profess my faith in Christ Jesus by loving as He loved.
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